Indeed the issue on BA mid-haul is not just that the once lie-flat comfort has been replaced by economy seats called club, but that the service sold cannot be offered for the length of these flights on the equipment being used. The new 321 Neo’s with return catering and somewhere between 10 and 14 rows of club are totally inadequate. I was sat in row 3 and could not get my first choice of meal. Crew told me they ran out completely at row 11 of 14 and that drinks have to be rationed otherwise outbound and inbound would be drunk before the flight lands in CAI. Washroom facilities are also a disaster when due to the travel time everybody needs to “go” sometime and on my flight the toilet paper had also run out.

Yes, most US carriers have transcontinental flights in A321’s or 737’s too, but they do not return cater and they at least have wider seats and limit the premium cabin size to a level at which they can at least mostly offer the advertised service.

Having said all that, it’s our own fault for accepting this rubbish. We cannot possibly expect BA to up their game if we keep booking and flying it. Unfortunately, alternatives are also vanishing fast.